Speaking After a Tracheostomy: Understanding Communication & Speech Therapy

Yes, people with a tracheostomy can speak. However, their speech may be different from before they had the tracheostomy. Speech depends on the movement of air through the vocal cords. A tracheostomy bypasses the vocal cords, so the air does not pass through them when a person speaks. This can make speech muffled, soft, or raspy.

Speech therapy can help people with a tracheostomy learn to project their voices and make their speech easier to understand. Some people with a tracheostomy may also use assistive devices, such as amplifiers, to help them speak.